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Overview
Using several doughnut shaped magnets, students do experiments floating them atop one another.
Materials Required
• A block of wood (size is unimportant). A hole in the wood the size of the dowel diameter.
• A length of dowel. The diameter should be a bit smaller than the doughnut shaped magnet hole.
• 5 doughnut shaped ceramic magnets
Directions (Download version at HOME EXPLORATIONS- FLOATING MAGNETS (PRINT) PDF.PDF
(81K))
1) Build a stand like the picture. A dowel is pressed into the wood base with any tool that could be used as a hammer.
2) Place doughnut magnets on the dowel. Try different combinations.
3) What happens to the space between the magnets as more weight pushes down on the stack?
4) How could you use this knowledge to design a railway or a car system where they might levitate above the track or road?
Extensions
Magnetic levitation is used in many ways to reduce friction. If a railcar is levitated above a track, it reduces friction and also is a smoother ride. Another set of magnets pulls the train forward. Do a web search for "Maglev" to see how these trains operate in many countries.
Video of Experiment
If you have other questions about this exploration, contact mjaeger@eou.edu
Printed Instructions
Download this pdf. HOME EXPLORATIONS- FLOATING MAGNETS (PRINT) PDF.PDF
(81K)
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